Referendum on Norwich Hospital cleanup spending Tuesday

Preston — The referendum on a proposed $8 million bonding package to continue the cleanup of the former Norwich Hospital property will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall.

The single-question referendum will ask if voters wish to approve the loan package, which has two components.

The town has been awarded a $4 million low-interest state loan that must be matched by an equal amount of money from the town. Residents will be asked to approve the state loan terms and to match it with a $4 million bond.

The state loan terms include 1.5 percent interest, with both interest and principal deferred for five years. For every 100 permanent jobs created on the property through future development, $1 million of the loan would be forgiven.